2013 Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge

The backbone of the estate is their Esprit de Tablas, and the 2013 Esprit de Tablas is a fresh, focused, ruby colored effort that offers plenty of black cherry, blackberry, ground herbs and pepper in a medium-bodied, yet big boned, firm and nicely concentrated package. Made from 40% Mourvedre, 28% Syrah, 22% Grenache and 10% Counoise, aged in foudre, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age to fill out, and will drink well over the following decade.

Opaque ruby. Deep, smoke-accented aromas of red and blue fruits, candied flowers and cracked pepper convey a slow-building mineral quality. At once rich and energetic, offering intense black raspberry and boysenberry compote flavors given spine by juicy acidity. Finishes spicy and impressively long, with velvety tannins arriving late and adding gentle grip.

Bright ruby. High-pitched red berry, cherry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of allspice and smoky minerals. Sappy and concentrated, showing strong spicy lift to its bitter cherry and raspberry flavors. The floral note comes back strong on the strikingly long finish, which is shaped by smooth, slow-building tannins.